Pattern selecting system for sewing machine

Abstract

A rows-and-columns array of indicator lamps, each lamp associated with a selectable stitch pattern, is provided on the machine housing, with one pushbutton switch per column of indicator lamps. In a first embodiment, when a particular column and row contain the single illuminated one of the lamps, depression of the pushbutton switch associated with a different column terminates illumination of the presently lighted lamp and instead effects illumination of the lamp of the same row but in the column associated with the newly depressed pushbutton switch, whereupon repeated pressing of the newly pressed switch causes the illuminated state to shift, lamp by lamp, along such column. Alternatively, when the illuminated-lamp indication is located in a particular row and column, depression of the pushbutton switch associated with a different column causes the illuminated-lamp indication to jump to that column, and in particular always to a predetermined lamp within that column, e.g., the first therein. In this way, when the number of selectable stitch patterns is large, a comparatively small number of pushbutton switches can be utilized to control pattern selection in a way involving a regular and predetermined rule of displacement of the illuminated-lamp indication from column to column.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a sewing machine having a machine housing, a memory storing data for a plurality of selectable stitch patterns and pattern forming devices actuated by the stitch-pattern data, a novel user-operated pattern-selection system comprising, in combination, a plurality of similarly organized groups of pattern indicator elements located on the exterior of the machine housing, each pattern indicator element having an indicating and a non-indicating state, a plurality of user-activated selector switches, one for each of said similarly organized groups of pattern indicator elements, and control circuit means connected to the useractivated selector switches and connected to the pattern indicator elements, the control circuit means being operative, when the user activates a selector switch not associated with the group containing the presently indicating indicator element, for causing the presently indicating indicator element to convert to non-indicating state and furthermore causing a predetermined one of the indicator elements in the group associated with the newly activated selector switch to assume indicating state. 
     
     
       2. In a sewing machine as defined in claim 1, the control means comprising means operative, when the user activates a selector switch not associated with the group containing the presently indicating indicator element, for causing the presently indicating indicator element to convert to non-indicating state and furthermore causing that one of the indicator elements in the group associated with the newly activated selector switch corresponding in its location within such group to the just previously indicating indicator element to now assume indicating state, whereby when the user activates the new selector switch the just previous indication state transfers itself from the indicator element of one group to the correspondingly located indicator element within the newly selected group. 
     
     
       3. In a sewing machine as defined in claim 1, the control means comprising means operative, when the user activates a selector switch not associated with the group containing the presently indicating indicator element, for causing the presently indicating indicator element to convert to non-indicating state and furthermore always causing the first indicator element of the newly selected group to convert to indicating state irrespective of whether the just previously indicating indicator element was or was not the first indicator element within its group. 
     
     
       4. In a sewing machine as defined in claim 2, the control means responding to initial activation of a selector switch not associated with the group containing the presently indicating indicator element by performing the operation set forth in claim 2, and responding to continued activation of the newly selected selector switch by causing successive ones of the indicator elements in the newly selected group to convert to indicating state. 
     
     
       5. In a sewing machine as defined in claim 3, the control means responding to initial activation of a selector switch not associated with the group containing the presently indicating indicator element by performing the operation set forth in claim 3, and responding to continued activation of the newly selected selector switch by causing successive ones of the indicator elements in the newly selected group to convert to indicating state. 
     
     
       6. In a sewing machine as defined in claim 2, the indicator elements being arranged on the exterior of the machine housing as a row-by-column array the columns of which constitute the respective ones of the plurality of groups, the control means responding to activation of a selector switch not associated with the column containing the presently indicating indicator element by causing the presently indicating indicator element to convert to nonindicating state and furthermore causing that indicator element in the newly selected column which is in the same row as the just previously indicating indicator element to assume indicating state. 
     
     
       7. In a sewing machine as defined in claim 3, the indicator elements being arranged on the exterior of the machine housing as a row-by-column array the columns of which constitute the respective ones of the plurality of groups, the control means responding to activation of a selector switch not associated with the column containing the presently indicating indicator element by causing the presently indicating indicator element to convert to nonindicating state and furthermore causing the first indicator element in the newly selected column to assume indicating state irrespective of whether the just previously indicating indicator element was or was not the first indicator element within its column. 
     
     
       8. In a sewing machine as defined in claim 6, the control means responding to initial activation of a selector switch not associated with the column containing the presently indicating element by performing the operation set forth in claim 6, and responding to continued activation of the newly selected selector switch by causing successive ones of the indicator elements in the newly selected column to convert to indicating state. 
     
     
       9. In a sewing machine as defined in claim 7, the control means responding to initial activation of a selector switch not associated with the column containing the presently indicating indicator element by performing the operation set forth in claim 7, and responding to continued activation of the newly selected selector switch by causing successive ones of the indicator elements in the newly selected column to convert to indicating state. 
     
     
       10. In a sewing machine as defined in claim 6, the rows extending horizontally on the exterior of the machine housing, the columns extending vertically on the exterior of the machine housing.